Support Safer Streets for All: Co-Sponsor Bill S.2347, An Act Relative to Bike Lane Safety

The Bay State Council of the Blind (BSCB) urges members of the Massachusetts Senate to co-sponsor Bill S.2347, An Act Relative to Bike Lane Safety. This legislation strengthens street design and micromobility oversight to ensure that all road users, including pedestrians with disabilities, can travel safely and independently.

The bill promotes a more inclusive transportation system by requiring that disability commissions and other accessibility stakeholders be consulted when bike lanes or other mobility infrastructure projects are planned. By co-sponsoring this bill, Senators can help make Massachusetts a leader in designing safer, more accessible streets for everyone.

Dear [Lawmaker],

I am writing as your constituent and a member or supporter of the Bay State Council of the Blind to urge you to co-sponsor S. 2347, An Act Relative to Transportation Safety, currently before the Joint Committee on Transportation.

S. 2347 establishes a task force to strengthen enforcement of laws governing motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds. It also requires consultation with state and local disability commissions before bike lanes funded under Chapter 90 are approved or constructed, ensuring that accessibility is built into the design process. By clarifying fines for violations and improving accountability, the bill advances both public safety and inclusion.

In recent years, bike lane expansion across Massachusetts has moved quickly, often without meaningful consultation with disability commissions or residents with disabilities. This has resulted in infrastructure that, while well intentioned, can create hazards for vulnerable pedestrians, particularly those who are blind or have low vision.

Floating bus stops are a prime example. To reach the bus, a pedestrian must cross a bike lane used by fast, quiet, and sometimes unpredictable micromobility devices such as e-bikes, scooters, and motorized bicycles. For someone who cannot see or hear an approaching rider in time, this can be a frightening and dangerous experience.

S. 2347 takes an important step toward correcting this oversight. By requiring disability input before certain bike lane projects are approved and by fostering stronger safety measures for micromobility use, the bill ensures that accessibility and safety are not an afterthought.

The Bay State Council of the Blind is the largest advocacy organization representing blind and low vision residents of the Commonwealth, dedicated to promoting safety, independence, and full participation in community life. We respectfully urge you to co-sponsor S. 2347 and help ensure that all Massachusetts residents can navigate our streets and sidewalks safely, equitably, and with dignity.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our community.

Sincerely,
______

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